Being away at school is nice because I get to cook whatever I want for my meals! I have a healthy meal plan that a nutritionist put together for me and I have gotten very comfortable with getting my body the things it needs every day. Some yummy treasures I found at the grocery store…

When I’m home, we usually eat as a family. Sometimes, I eat my own food, sometimes I eat what my mom prepares, and sometimes I make dinner a la bake n’ shake for the family! Tonight was one of those nights where I made my own grub and man was it yummy : )

I AM OBSESSED WITH SWEET POTATOES. These are wonderful, just roasted in the oven for ~30 min. Don’t worry, this is 3 small sweet potatoes, enough for the whole fam!

Okay so back to the cupcakes…I have to go down to see my doctors at school tomorrow (wompwomppp) so I wanted to make the wonderful nurses some cupcakes! Unfortaunatly, after all my errands the prospect of cupcakes seemed a little daunting. Instead, I saved those for later this week and set out to make banana bread!

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

I tried this recipe several months ago and haven’t made a different recipe since! It is wonderful; so moist and not too sweet, all in all the perfect banana bread

mmmm cinnamon...

Things I love about this recipe:

1. it is DELICIOUS

2. it only makes one pretty big loaf, just enough so you can finish it while it’s still fresh

3. only. one. bowl. chaaaa chinggg! (well 2 if you count the swirl, but hey, still pretty good : ))

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

3 ripe bananas

1/3 cup melted butter (cooled)

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg (room temperature)

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

dash of salt

1 1/2 cups flour

Swirl

1/4-1/3 cup sugar

3/4 – 1 Tbs cinnamon

-Butter 9×5 in pan and preheat oven to 350. Mix together swirl ingredients in a separate bowl.

-Mix together: mashed ‘naners, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla (Tip: I know the is obvious, but make sure your butter has cooled before you add the egg, I always forget : )).

-Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix JUST until combined and not a stroke more!

-Pour half the batter into your pan. Sprinkle 1/2 the sugar mixture over it and then cover that with the remaining batter. Sprinkle the rest of the sugar on top of the loaf. Bake for ~50 min, but keep an eye on it!

Hello everyone! As I set up this blog, wordpress kindly put up a first post for me, aptly titled “Hello World!”. Well, I couldn’t have said it better myself so, hello world! My name is Tess, and up until today I have only followed food blogs (those listed in my links). Though I’m sure many of you are probably familiar with them, I highly encourage you to check ’em out if you’re not! I have so admired them and all that they do, and was finally inspired to open my own blog : )

As you may have guessed from the title and about me section, I am a baker by heart. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I will use ANY excuse to bake! The semester has recently ended and in a few weeks I will be jetting (well, driving really) off to NYC where I will work under the guidance of a pastry chef. I am actually giddy, and have started Bake n’ Shake with the intention of documenting the experience of a lifetime. I never thought I would actually use the word giddy but that seems to be the most appropriate word to describe my excitement…

Of course I found a way to put my apron to use on Halloween : )

In short, this is a space for me to do what I love and share it with others. From baking to the mall, yoga to cupcakes, Bake n’ Shake will chronicle my foray into the city, pastry, and everything in between. If you are reading this, am absolutely thrilled you have found my modest start and I hope you’ll join me in my adventure!